If you’ve been reading the blog for a while, you know that Taylor has presented her share of challenges to her parental units at daycare/preschool and at bedtime. But this week, she is like a new kid (new, but still retaining her funny sweet smart independent self).
Today, we have a hurricane strolling by, which led to a tree falling outside of our neighborhood and taking out a power line and our power. So we did what every reasonable family would do – went to McAlister’s for a snack in the “tropical storm warning” weather. While we were there, I cut Taylor’s brownie in half so she wouldn’t have too much sugar. Russ got the other half and was going to give me half of that, but then Taylor broke her half in half and insisted on sharing with me. We tried to convince her it was ok, and that she could eat her whole half, but she could not be convinced. Russ stroked her hair and said, “How did you get to be so sweet and good at sharing?” to which she replied “I’m in the 4s now” To which Russ reflected, “I’m almost crying because of how proud I am of you” Me, too.
It’s just hard to think back and remember the challenges, the tears, the yelling, the bargaining, the treats. It wasn’t that long ago, but it feels like a different life…to be the parent that gets the bad news day after day of behavior problems….to be the parents who stripped their kid’s room of EVERYTHING but the mattress and bedding. As I type (at 7:00pm), Taylor is quiet and still in her bed with her eyes closed without so much as a peep since Russ read her books. The 7th night in a row of perfect bedtimes. We told her how awesome she was doing at bedtime a few days ago, to which she replied “That’s because I’m in the 4s now”. She’s earned back all of her furniture, and is so excited.
If that wasn’t awesome enough, this is what I found in her folder after her first week of school:
If you can’t read the writing in the boxes, there is a list of behaviors that need improvement…then the last box (where the smiley face is) says, “Great Behavior!”
(yellow stamps mean that she kept her “smiley face” all day everyday this week)
I’m just giddy – verklempt even. She’s just awesome. I have no delusions that it will stay this way forever or that she’s perfect now, but she has come so far and has matured into such a kind, strong little lady. My cup overflows.
And just for fun, another jewel from school:
Her self-portrait – eyes: blue (yes!), lips: pink (yes!), shirt: purple (yes!), hair: short and brown (half right), skin: gray? (HA!)
Filed under: parenting, sleep, sweet baby girl | 3 Comments »